Step by Step Guide to Building a PandaDoc API Integration in PHP

Hey there, fellow developer! Ready to dive into the world of document automation with PandaDoc? Let's roll up our sleeves and build a slick PHP integration that'll have you creating, sending, and tracking documents like a pro.

Introduction

PandaDoc's API is a powerhouse for document workflows. Whether you're looking to generate contracts, send proposals, or manage e-signatures, this integration will be your new best friend. We'll walk through the process step-by-step, so you can get up and running in no time.

Prerequisites

Before we jump in, make sure you've got:

• A PHP environment (7.4+ recommended)
• A PandaDoc account with API access
• Composer installed for dependency management
• Your favorite code editor

Got all that? Great! Let's get cooking.

Setting up the project

First things first, let's set up our project:

mkdir pandadoc-integration
cd pandadoc-integration
composer init
composer require guzzlehttp/guzzle

Authentication

PandaDoc uses API key authentication. Let's create a base client class to handle this:

<?php

use GuzzleHttp\Client;

class PandaDocClient
{
    private $client;
    private $apiKey;

    public function __construct($apiKey)
    {
        $this->apiKey = $apiKey;
        $this->client = new Client([
            'base_uri' => 'https://api.pandadoc.com/public/v1/',
            'headers' => [
                'Authorization' => 'API-Key ' . $this->apiKey,
                'Content-Type' => 'application/json'
            ]
        ]);
    }

    // We'll add more methods here soon!
}

Core API Integration Steps

Creating a document

Let's add a method to create a document:

public function createDocument($name, $templateId)
{
    $response = $this->client->post('documents', [
        'json' => [
            'name' => $name,
            'template_uuid' => $templateId
        ]
    ]);

    return json_decode($response->getBody(), true);
}

Adding recipients

Now, let's add those recipients:

public function addRecipients($documentId, $recipients)
{
    $response = $this->client->put("documents/$documentId/recipients", [
        'json' => ['recipients' => $recipients]
    ]);

    return json_decode($response->getBody(), true);
}

Uploading document content

If you're not using a template, you'll need to upload content:

public function uploadContent($documentId, $content)
{
    $response = $this->client->post("documents/$documentId/content", [
        'json' => ['content' => $content]
    ]);

    return json_decode($response->getBody(), true);
}

Sending the document

Finally, let's send that document:

public function sendDocument($documentId)
{
    $response = $this->client->post("documents/$documentId/send", [
        'json' => ['message' => 'Please review and sign this document.']
    ]);

    return json_decode($response->getBody(), true);
}

Handling API Responses

Always check for errors in the API responses. Here's a quick helper method:

private function handleResponse($response)
{
    $body = json_decode($response->getBody(), true);
    if ($response->getStatusCode() >= 400) {
        throw new Exception($body['message'] ?? 'An error occurred');
    }
    return $body;
}

Webhooks Integration (Optional)

Want to know when your document is viewed or signed? Set up a webhook endpoint:

public function handleWebhook($payload)
{
    $event = $payload['event'];
    $documentId = $payload['data']['id'];

    switch ($event) {
        case 'document_state_changed':
            // Handle document state changes
            break;
        case 'recipient_completed':
            // Handle recipient completion
            break;
        // Add more cases as needed
    }
}

Testing the Integration

Don't forget to test! Here's a quick example:

$client = new PandaDocClient('your-api-key');

$document = $client->createDocument('My Contract', 'template-id');
$client->addRecipients($document['id'], [
    ['email' => '[email protected]', 'first_name' => 'John', 'last_name' => 'Doe']
]);
$client->sendDocument($document['id']);

echo "Document sent successfully!";

Best Practices and Optimization

• Respect rate limits: PandaDoc has usage limits, so implement proper error handling and retries.
• Cache where possible: Store template IDs and other static data to reduce API calls.
• Use webhooks for real-time updates instead of polling the API.

Conclusion

And there you have it! You've just built a robust PandaDoc integration in PHP. With these building blocks, you can create powerful document workflows tailored to your needs. Remember, this is just scratching the surface – PandaDoc's API offers even more features like custom pricing tables, form fields, and more.

Happy coding, and may your documents always be signed on time! 🐼📄✍️

For more details, check out the PandaDoc API documentation. Now go forth and automate those documents!